Accessory Sex Glands
semen
a mixture of sperm and the secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands
penis
a passageway for the ejaculation of semen and the excretion of urine from the urethra
prostate
a single-doughnut shaped gland about the size of a golf ball
circumcision
a surgical procedure in which part of the entire prepuce is removed
ejaculation
a sympathetic reflex coordinated by the lumbar portion of the spinal cord
prostate-specific antigen
aka PSA
prepuce
aka foreskin
semen
also contains an antibiotic that can destroy certain bacteria
prostate-specific antigen
an example of a protein-digesting enzyme secreted from the prostate
nocturnal emission
an example of emission that occurs during sleep
erection
arteries supplying the penis dilate, and large quantities of blood enter the blood sinuses; expansion slows blood flow
ejaculation
as part of this reflex, the smooth muscle sphincter as the base of the urinary bladder closed
parasympathetic impulses
cause release of neurotransmitters and local hormones, including nitric oxide, which relaxes vascular smooth muscle in the penile arteries (erection)
antibiotic
component of semen that may help control the abundance of naturally occurring bacteria in the semen and in the lower female reproductive tract
accessory sex glands
components of the male reproductive system that secrete most of the liquid portion of the semen
ducts
components of the male reproductive system that store and transport sperm cells
erectile dysfunction
consistent inability of an adult male to ejaculate or attain or hold an erection long enough for sexual intercourse
penis
contains the urethra
prostaglandins
contribute to sperm motility and viability and may also simulate muscular contraction within the female reproductive tract (seminal vesicles)
prepuce
covers the glans in an uncircumcised penis
penis
cylindrical in shape; consists of a root, body, and the glans penis
7.2-7.7
despite the acidity of prostatic fluid, semen has this slightly alkaline pH
bulbourethral glands
during sexual arousal, also secrete mucus, lubricating the end of the penis and lining of the urethra, decreasing sperm damage during ejaculation
bulbourethral glands
during sexual arousal, secrete an alkaline substance into the urethra that protects the passing sperm by neutralizing acids from urine
seminal vesicles
fluid secreted by these normally constitutes about 60% of the volume of semen
seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands
fluids from these give semen a sticky consistency
prostatic secretion
gives semen a milky appearance
clotting proteins
help semen coagulate after ejaculation (seminal vesicles)
hemospermia
in most cases, caused by inflammation of the blood vessels lining the seminal vesicles; usually treated with antibiotics
prostate
inferior to the urinary bladder and surrounds the upper portion of the urethra
prostate
its size by age 30 remains stable until about age 45, when further enlargement may occur
bulbourethral glands
located inferior to the prostate on either side of the urethra
prostatic secretions
make up approximately 25% of the volume of semen
fructose
molecule used for ATP production by sperm (seminal vesicles)
fructose, prostaglandins, clotting proteins
molecules included in the alkaline secretions of the seminal vesicles (3)
vasoconstriction
most of the time, the penis is flaccid because its arteries are in this state with limited blood flow
external urethral orifice
opening of the urethra to the exterior
6.5
pH of milky, slightly acidic fluid secreted by the prostate
bulbourethral glands
paired glands about the size of peas
seminal vesicles
paired pouch-like structures, lying posterior to the base of the urinary bladder and anterior to the rectum
body of the penis
portion of the penis composed of three cylindrical masses of tissue; enclosed by fascia and skin; consist of erectile tissue permeated by blood sinuses
hemospermia
presence of blood in semen
citric acid
prostate secretion 1/3; can be used by sperm for ATP production via the Krebs cycle
acid phosphatase
prostate secretion 2/3; function of which is unknown
enzymes
prostate secretions 3/3; several are secreted to digest proteins
seminal vesicles
secrete an alkaline, viscous fluid that contains fructose, prostaglandins, and clotting proteins (unlike those found in blood)
prostate
slowly increases in size from birth to puberty, then expands rapidly
corpus spongiosum penis
smaller mid-ventral mass in the body of the penis
root of the penis
the attached portion of the penis
emission
the discharge of a small volume of semen before ejaculation
glans penis
the distal end of the corpus spongiosum penis is this slightly enlarged region
erection
the first visible sign of sexual excitement
ejaculation
the powerful release of semen from the urethra to the exterior
alkalinity
this property helps neutralize acidity of the male urethra and female reproductive tract that otherwise would inactivate and kill sperm(seminal vesicles)
corpora caveronsa penis
two dorsolateral masses in the body of the penis
glans penis
within this is the external urethral orifice
